Austin Health is conducting a 12-week pilot to trial a new process for booking and managing appointments. The pilot includes eight specialty clinics within our Specialist Clinics service.

During the trial, patients won't need to contact Specialist Clinics to book an appointment. Instead you will:

• get a text message with the date, time and location of your appointment
• get a reminder text message five days before to your appointment
• be able to change your appointment using the link in the appointment text message (at least 48 hours in advance).

Specialty clinics in the trial

The specialty clinics involved in this trial are:

• Breast Surgery
• Endocrinology
• Hepatobiliary
• Liver
• Neurology
• Paediatric Medicine
• Renal
• Rheumatology

When will this change commence?

From Monday 3 April 2023, appointments for the specialty clinics in the trial will be part of the pilot and will receive a text message with the date and time instead of receiving a letter.

When will I be notified of my appointment?

An appointment confirmation text message will be sent as early as 13 days prior to your appointment. A reminder text message will also be sent five days prior.  

What happens if I don't have a mobile number?

If you don’t have a mobile number, we will send a letter in the mail informing you of your appointment.  

What if I am unable to attend the appointment?

Specialist appointments are valuable. Let us know if you’re not going to show at least 48 hours in advance by using the link on the appointment text message so we reallocate your appointment to another patient. 

Our clinics only run on certain days at allocated times and locations. We will endeavour to accommodate rescheduling requests, however scheduling is subject to clinic availability.

What if I need a follow-up or review appointment?

Once you’ve been seen by one of our doctors and a follow-up or review appointment is required within seven weeks, we will book your appointment prior to leaving the clinic. If your follow-up or review appointment is required beyond seven weeks, we will book your appointment closer to the time. 

I have been referred to a specialty clinic other than those listed above, how do I get access to an appointment?

For appointments not listed in the eight clinics participating there is no change to the process.  A letter will be sent to you when an appointment becomes available. See Making Appointments.